Hey guys. On my trailer, I have a single deep cycle battery (don't know the rating. I guess I should go and look.) Anyway, it's getting a charge from my truck, but my dumb question is this.

If I parallel 2 more deep cycle batteries, will the 10 guage charge wire hold up to 3 batteries?

I plan on installing a cd player in my trailer. It will be playing probably 10 hours straight, for 3 straight nights when we're out camping. I know paralleling the batteries will work, but 10 guage just seems a bit weak to take a max alternator output to 3 batteries.

I'll also be installing a small charger for when there's a 110 hookup. But we won't be doing that much.

Or, do you think 2 deep cycle batteries will be enough?

What would you do?

 

I don't know if the isolator will handle it

 

You should have a 30 amp circuit breaker or fuse up front protecting that 10 guage wire. If the circuit breaker trips, then that would be a sure sign that the 10 guage is not enough. Put the fuse or circuit breaker as close to the source(isolater?) as possible, to protect as much of the wire as you can.

 

Ah, yes. Somehow, in my brain-farts, I always overlook the obvious. Thanks. Is there any more ideas?

 

I have 2 deep cycle batteries + to +, - to -, using 6 gauge. This is the same gauge as the run to the trailer fuse box. If you are going to have a serious draw (solid 60 amp or more) then you will want larger cables. You can never go wrong with larger gauge to keep resistance low (and voltage high) Fusing approprately is also important.

In my case I need to run a CPAP (a machine to help me breathe at night) and need to be able to draw 8-10 amps for the 8 odd hours of sleep if I do not have access to 110v ac. My maximum draw with all 12 v stuff (lights etc) on pushes 40 amps so wireing for 50+ amps from the battery is all I need.

I see these as MAXIMUMS the wires will carry alittle more but resistance will quickly drop the voltage, and do something like pull 40 amps on a 20 amp wire and you have a good potential for a fire! (thus the need for fuses!)

12 gauge = 20amp
10 gauge = 30amp
8 gauge = 40 amp
6 gauge = 50 amp

if you want to put in a 2000 Watt converter to run your microwave that can equate to 200 plus amps at 12 volts, I only have a 150 watt converter so need less than 20 amps.

The charging line from my van is only fused at 40 amps and the isolater on the trailer is rated at 60 amps.

A little rambling but I hope this helps!

 

You might want to look into a solar charging system. Another alternative is a small generator like the Newer EU Series from Honda, very quiet unit that has a 12v charger built in it too. You'll use alot less fuel and less noise than having your vehicle running all the time too.

If your looking to carry max alternator output ( if your alternator is putting out 100) you will need something in the range of a 2 gauge, you can carry 150 amps up to 20 ft on the 2 gauge.

 

I figured this would be a good post to hook onto. I have a race trailer with 12v interior lights powered by the tow vehicle ('04 F250 6.0L -7 pin plug.) I want to install a single 12v deep cycle to power the lights when I am unhooked. How do I wire the battery so it can power the lights but also be charged when hooked to the truck and not get overcharged? - Thanks.

 

You can buy an isolater to hook between the 12 volt wire from the truck and the new battery. The isolater will let the wire from the truck charge the trailer battery, but not let the truck battery be drained by the trailer lights. Go to jcwhitney.com and type in battery isolater in the search box.
They have a little explanation and a diagram.

 

http://www.powermastermotorsports.com/charge_wires.html
I ran across this thinking of you guys. give you an idea of wire size needed